Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10260288February 28, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
COMING TO A STOP AT LESS THAN 10MPH I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO HAVE IT GO TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESULTS. I QUICKLY ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING A SERVICE TRUCK. THIS RESULTED IN A SMALL DENT IN MY FRONT BUMPER. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE TRUCK MOVED OFF BUT FOR ME TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I HAD TO REACH WITH MY HAND TO FIND THE RELEASE LEVER. I WENT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY. THEY SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM THIS INCLUDED DRIVING MY CAR FOR 30 MINUTES. THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. READING IN DISCUSSION FORMATS ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. MY INCIDENT, AS MANY ONLINE, HAPPENED IN THE RAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259582February 22, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES ONE GOES OUT, BUT WHEN THEY BOTH GO OUT ALL OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR GO OUT TOO. WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON THEY WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER THIS STARTED THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN A REGULAR PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. WE HAVE RECEIVED A WARNING TICKET BECAUSE OF A HEADLIGHT OUTAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257462February 4, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, SUDDENLY AN ABS WARNING LIGHT AND A BEEPING SOUND ENGAGED. TO INVESTIGATE THE ABRUPT OCCURRENCE I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER. HOWEVER AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES THEY WOULDN'T WORK. MY BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. I'M EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS AFFORDED THE DISTANCE TO ALLOW MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP I APPLIED MY PARKING BAKE. I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE CAR JUST FEET IN FRONT OF MINE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE DEVASTATION IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN ON A BUSY INTERSECTION OR A FREEWAY OFF RAMP. THANKFULLY, THERE ARE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALER/SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AND SPEED SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'VE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256076January 23, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN RESOLVES THE ISSUE. I ONLY NOTICE THIS WHEN I SEE THE CAR'S REFLECTION IN THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255719January 20, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON. LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE SOMETIMES DO NOT TURN ON. THEY LATER TURN ON AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES (TURN ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY). BOTH LIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTION AT TOYOTA DEALER FOUND POSSIBLE FAULT WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. COST TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS ESTIMATED AT $900. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255250January 15, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2005 PRIUS WITH HID HEADLAMPS THAT NEED REPLACING WHICH WILL COST $450.00 EACH. THIS IS AN OUTRAGEOUS SUM OF MONEY TO PAY FOR HEADLAMPS ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253342December 31, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO I BEGAN EXPERIENCE A RANDOM SHUT DOWN OF MY PS HEAD LIGHT. ONLY BE TURNING MY LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON RESTORED IT FOR SOME AMOUNT OF TIME.. LAST WEEK THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING WITH THE DS HEADLIGHT. NOW ETHER ONE OR BOTH RANDOMLY JUST GOES DARK. WHEN BOTH GO OUR ON A TWO LANE ROAD IT GETS REALLY DARK. I CAN NOT CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LOOSE. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING STILL AT AN INTERSECTION. SOME NIGHTS IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME IN A 2 MILE DRIVE TO THE STORE AND OTHER TIMES (RARELY NOW) IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. HEAT DOE NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE SINCE IT SOMETIME HAPPENS JUST AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED FROM COLD. WHEN CHECKING THE INTERNET IF FIND THE PRIUS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM PRODUCES SEVERAL BLOG AND OTHER SITES THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME THING WITH PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE SPENT OVER $2500 SWAPPING OUT PARTS.. AS A RESEARCHER, I CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS CLEARLY VEHICLE CLASS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD AT LEAST BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE SERVICE CENTERS. AS A DRIVER, IT IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE I HAVE TO START SPENDING BIG MONEY ON NON-SOLUTIONS OR SELL THE CAR I OTHERWISE LOVE PASSING THE PROBLEM TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253405December 31, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005 PRIUS WAS GOING ON AND OFF AND THEN WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID THE BULB AND LABOR WOULD BE $320 AND THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THAT ONE HEADLIGHT WAS ALSO OUT AND THAT WOULD BE $250 - SO IT WOULD BE ALMOST $600 FOR 1 HEADLIGHT!! I THINK AFTER READING MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNER'S SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND ALSO AN OUTRAGEOUS, UNFAIR CHARGE TO CONSUMERS FOR AN ITEM THAT MUST HAS TO WORK IN ORDER TO USE THE CAR. I FEEL BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE COST TO REPAIR A HEADLIGHT AND THAT SOME PRIUS' HAVE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS ON THEM AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHOICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253301December 30, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. THE FOURTH TIME. THE LIGHTS CAME ON USING THE HI-BEAM ONLY. NUMEROUS INCIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE HAS BEEN PULLED OVER FOR THIS. I HAVE REPLACED THESE MYSELF. HOWEVER, THIS LAST TIME IT IS NOT THE BULB. IT IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE FORUM. COSTS HAVE BEEN FROM $300 - 2K. SOME DEALERSHIPS ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHERS DON'T. THIS IS A SAFETY AND EXPENSE ISSUE. DRIVING HOME IS VERY DIFFICULT AT NIGHT AND USING THE HI-BEAM IS BLINDING TO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND AGAINST THE LAW IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252865December 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD LOCK UP, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING OR CHANGING GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE IN A TUNNEL WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE ROAD CREW HAD TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TOOK TWENTY MINUTES TO RE-ENGAGE THE GEAR SO THAT THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE AGAIN. USUALLY, IT WOULD TAKE TWENTY TO FORTY MINUTES BEFORE IT RE-ENGAGED ITSELF AND FOR THE GEAR TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED AND SENT LETTERS TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, BUT NO ONE WILL SPEAK WITH HIM. HE HAS NOT TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252783December 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION WITH CARS COMING UP BEHIND IN A SINGLE LANE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252611December 23, 2008
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NORMAL DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS OFF. I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE LIGHT, MOST OF THE TIME, WILL RETURN FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. HID BULB REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HID BULBS ARE NOT CHEAP. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $2500 TO HOPEFULLY FIX MY HEADLIGHT. PRETTY EXTREME FOR A HEADLIGHT? DEFINITELY A TRAFFIC AND SAFETY HAZARD ONLY OPERATING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252482December 22, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2005 PRIUS HAS XENON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE(HID) HEADLAMPS THAT GO OUT AND STAY OUT UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE BULBS VERY FREQUENTLY AND THEY DON'T LAST FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251437December 10, 2008
VISIBILITY
2005 PRIUS HEADLIGHTS LEVELER CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO LOCK INTO ONE POSITION. THIS VEHICLE LOCKED IN LOWER POSITION CREATING VERY POOR VISIBILITY. THINKING THAT IF THIS WAS TO LOCK IN UPPER POSITION IT WOULD BE BLINDING DRIVER IN THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE ALWAYS ON RECALL IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251048December 8, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A GATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250535December 2, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LEFT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT IN PRIUS. TURN OFF THEN BACK ON TO RESET BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ONE NIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK IT RESET ONCE I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249651November 24, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AT WILL. FLIPPING THE ON/OFF SWITCH WILL TURN IT BACK ON TEMPORARILY. HARD TO TELL WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT LIGHT. DEALERSHIP SAID TO REPLACE HID BULB, FOR $458. BUT THE BULB ISN'T BURNED OUT. ITS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND ACCORDING TO OTHERS IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, EVEN AFTER BULB CHANGE. THIS IS A VERY BIG PROBLEM IN THE DARK, AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR HUNDREDS OF PRIUS OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248879November 15, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING DOWN A HILL NEXT TO OUR HOME. THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME FOR A SHORT PERIOD AT THE TOP OF THE HILL. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED MORE AGGRESSIVELY TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR (THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE TEMP. WAS IN THE 60S, THERE WERE NO LEAVES ETC ON THE ROAD) AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT RESPOND SUFFICIENTLY TO STOP THE CAR...IT SLOWED US SOME BUT WE WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US IF WE DID NOT SWERVE SHARPLY TO AVOID IT AND THEN DRIVE INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS TURN OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON AGAIN, THE BRAKES RESPONDED CORRECTLY. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD FOUND AN ERROR CODE (THE ABS SYSTEM) IN THE COMMUTER AND THEY TECH'S AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN WITH A FEW OTHER PRIUS (THIS IS WHAT I FOUND CONCERNING?THERE WERE ALSO SIMILAR INCIDENTS POSTED ON THE WEB). NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE BRAKES. THE MECHANICS SPOKE TO TOYOTA HEAD OFFICE (??) AND THEY WERE TOLD TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND RUN A NUMBER OF TESTS. THE CAR RESPONDED CORRECTLY AFTER THE RESET AND IT WAS GIVEN BACK TO ME NO MECHANIC PROBLEM WAS FOUND.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248706November 13, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1.) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: NONE (EXCEPT VEHICLE > 43000 MILES?) 2.) HID HEADLAMP ON 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ONE OR BOTH HEADLAMPS TURNING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. TURNING ON/OFF OF HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAPPEN PERHAPS 1 TO 2 TIMES IN A 15 MINUTE DRIVE 3.) NONE YET. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED HID INVERTER FAILURE/ECU FAILURE TO BE CAUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248567November 12, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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